Mulgrew grabbed his first international goal to make sure the Scots were not on the wrong end of an embarrassing result against little Estonia.

The Pittodrie visitors looked the livelier team early on and keeper Allan McGregor was called into action to make two vital saves.

Then he came to the rescue again when he raced off his line to block at the feet of Tarmo Kink after the forward picked up a great through ball.

But Mulgrew struck seven minutes before the interval to steady Scottish nerves and hand Strachan a victory in his first match in charge.

The goal came through a move straight from the training ground after Shaun Maloney was fouled by Igor Morozov. Rather than curl the ball into the box, Charlie Adam rolled the resultant free-kick to Mulgrew, who pulled away from the pack in the goalmouth to slot home.

Chris Burke, making his first Scotland appearance since 2006, looked sharp and tricky in the opening spell.

And substitute Jordan Rhodes also looked lively on a night when Strachan saw plenty to cheer him as he bids to revive Scotland’s fortunes.